Neotectonic deformation within an extensional stepover in El Salvador magmatic arc, Central America: Implication for the interaction of arc magmatism and deformation

The extensional deformation occurs during a ~ 50 k.y. lull in rhyolitic activity, suggesting an interplay between magmatism and deformation within the arc. During significant rhyolitic volcanic activity, only minor elongation is observed in the SSES, despite ongoing translation of the Salvadoran forearc. We speculate that rhyolitic magmatism along upper crustal faults may facilitate strike-slip movement on the ESFS, rather than distributing deformation throughout the extensional stepover.